Elena Sarmiento - Obituary

lena Duenas Sarmiento passed away after a courageous journey with cancer on March 17, 2016. Her husband of 52 years Celestino “Sam” Sarmiento and her children, La and their life partner Wendy Taylor, Nini and her husband Rob Degenhard, and her sister Clara Fe Cuenca (nee Duenas) were by her side. Elena was born in Navotas, Philippines. She attended St. James Academy and graduated from the University of The Philippines in 1959 with a B.S. in Foreign Service. She worked at the Vietnam Embassy before becoming a Navy wife in 1963. Elena and her family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii before settling in Washington, DC in 1971. She worked as a Research Analyst for National Rural Electric Cooperative Association for over 20 years. An avid reader, Elena volunteered and later worked part-time at the Oxon Hill Public Library after she retired. She faithfully served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Dominic's Church in Washington, DC. She also volunteered her time as an election judge. Elena zealously followed current events, enjoyed playing along with JEOPARDY, and watched romantic comedies. A self-proclaimed fashionista, Elena was quite the savvy shopper. She was fond of collecting and decorating her home. Elena loved traveling to see high school friends, listening to country music, and fishing and crabbing with her husband Sam in southern Maryland. Family and friends here and in the Philippines will miss Elena dearly. The family will receive friends at St. Dominic's Church, 630 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024, on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be sent in Elena’s name to St. Dominic’s Church.